Dave Higgins's Blog, page 83
July 5, 2017
Darkness Expanding
Two of the stripped-down aspects of Graham Walmsley’s Cthulhu Dark are having a very limited skill system and not having an experience system. Which makes great sense in a system designed to be bleak enough that there’s a risk of several characters dying or suffering extreme mental collapse in a session. However, a few of … Continue reading Darkness Expanding
July 3, 2017
Before the Harvest
It’s dark when I slip out, yet neighbours already fill the streets. Letting myself awaken naturally was always a risk: but someone hearing my alarm and realising I meant to run seemed worse. Only fields lie between me and the forest. If I sprint, they might hear me, but I’ll make it before sunrise. Moments … Continue reading Before the Harvest
June 30, 2017
Esteemed Vampire Cat by Tyrolin Puxty
Puxty displays paranormal romance and Boschian demonology through the lens of slapstick and surrealism to produce a story that is both amusing and thrilling. And provides a salutary warning to those who do not treat cats with the respect they are due. Colt Harper is, by his own admission, the greatest of vampire cats; and, … Continue reading Esteemed Vampire Cat by Tyrolin Puxty
June 28, 2017
Trivial Differences
One criticism levelled at Lovecraft is that his characters don’t represent the gamut of the human condition. However, the prevalence of educated Caucasian male protagonists might actually be a partial virtue. One of the key threads of the game Cthulhu Dark by Graham Walmsley is having protagonists who are at the bottom of the ladder … Continue reading Trivial Differences
June 26, 2017
The Cost of Truth
Following Jeremy Corbyn’s reinvigoration of the Labour Party (a failed party similar to the anti-truth Equal Rights Cabal) in the early 2000’s, the Conservative Party (a failed party similar to the anti-truth Moral Choice Alliance) adopted New Austerity. Their headline policy was a requirement that all public services were either profitable or revenue neutral. This … Continue reading The Cost of Truth
June 23, 2017
Gears of Fate by Wilbert Stanton
Fusing steampunk, fairy tales, and European myths, Stanton creates a new perspective on trope of a simple farmboy getting drawn into a quest to save a nation from an evil usurper. Centuries ago, Queen Mob of the Fey conquered Earth, exiling humanity to Olympus, a city supported by arcane technologies. Zak Walker has grown up … Continue reading Gears of Fate by Wilbert Stanton
June 21, 2017
Whooooosh!
It is exceedingly hot here today, so have a video of a man strapping fans to himself:
June 19, 2017
You Probably Die Twice
Basildon Watt glanced down. Brass jaws snapped shut inches below as the clockwork alligators strained for his feet. Maybe not the best day to show off his new hand-stitched brogues after all. Not that he’d notice their demise. The scrolling laser would reach him well before one of the mechanical lizards got around to standing … Continue reading You Probably Die Twice
June 16, 2017
Lex De Mortuis by Matthew S. Cox
Building on the interwoven threads of high-tech dystopia and emergent mental powers from Division Zero, Cox shows the reader one possible answer to the question of religion in a science-fiction world without sacrificing the visceral action of a cyberpunk thriller. This novel is the second volume in the Division Zero series. Therefore, spoilers loom ahead. … Continue reading Lex De Mortuis by Matthew S. Cox
June 14, 2017
Life Outside the Tank
You say we don’t understand your experience. So we ask. And you say that it ain’t your job to educate us. Which is true, but doesn’t help solve the issue. And solving the issue’s not your job either, But that don’t mean you aren’t allowed to try if you want. Which is why there are … Continue reading Life Outside the Tank
